-LRB- MentalFloss.com -RRB- -- On Memorial Day , we thought it might be a good time to take a look at some of the rules for respectfully displaying the American flag , as dictated by the United States Flag Code .

When did these flag rules fall into place ?

Surprisingly late in American history . On Flag Day in 1923 , a group of organizations headed by the American Legion outlined the National Flag Code as a set of advisory rules for displaying the flag . These rules became law during World War II and form the bulk of what 's now the United States Flag Code .

These rules cover all manner of extremely specific situations , but they 're all governed by the same basic principle : the flag is one of the most visible and important symbols of our country , so we should treat it with respect .

Are you really supposed to lower the flag at sunset ?

You do n't have to . While the flag code notes that displaying the flag only from sunrise to sunset is `` universal custom , '' it makes an exception . `` However , when a patriotic effect is desired , the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness . ''

When should the flag be displayed ?

Section 6 of the flag code states , `` The flag should be displayed on all days . '' However , the code goes on to say that the flag should especially -LRB- emphasis added -RRB- be displayed on the following days : New Year 's Day , Inauguration Day , Martin Luther King , Jr. . Day , Lincoln 's birthday , Washington 's birthday , Easter , Mother 's Day , Armed Forces Day , Memorial Day , Flag Day , Father 's Day , Independence Day , National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day , Labor Day , Constitution Day , Columbus Day , Navy Day , Veterans Day , Thanksgiving , Christmas , state holidays , states ' dates of admission , and `` such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States . ''

Where should the flag be displayed ?

Section 6 of the flag code covers this question , too . The flag should be displayed in or near every schoolhouse on school days , on or near the main administration building of every public institution each day , and in or near every polling place on election days .

Why does n't , say , the Dream Team take the courts in American-flag jerseys at the Olympics ?

The flag code thought of that one , too . Section 8 of the code covers `` Respect for the Flag , '' and it explicitly states , `` No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform . However , a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel , firemen , policemen , and members of patriotic organizations . ''

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Any other restrictions on wearing the flag ?

Section 8 also states , `` The flag should never be used as wearing apparel , bedding , or drapery . ''

What about those American flag lapel pins that so many folks wear ?

The flag code thought of that one , too . Section 8 rather elegantly states , `` The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing . Therefore , the lapel flag pin being a replica , should be worn on the left lapel near the heart . ''

Is it true you have to retire and burn a flag that touches the ground ?

No , that 's a myth . The flag code is quite a bit more realistic about this situation . While the code states , `` The flag should never touch anything beneath it , such as the ground , the floor , water , or merchandise , '' there 's no rule saying that a flag that slips has to immediately be burned .

Instead , the code stipulates , `` The flag , when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display , should be destroyed in a dignified way , preferably by burning . '' Unless hitting the ground once renders the flag unfit for display , there 's no need to burn it .

When is it acceptable to fly the flag upside down ?

The flag code allows for flying the flag with the union -LRB- the blue field of stars -RRB- down only `` as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property . ''

We know that the American flag is supposed to be displayed in a position of prominence over other flags on American soil . Are there any exceptions to this rule ?

Section 7 of the flag code provides one major exception : the flag of the United Nations can be flown in the position of honor or prominence at the U.N. headquarters in New York .

The only other exception involves church services performed by naval chaplains while at sea . In these instances , the church 's flag may fly above the American flag during the service .

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What 's the penalty for breaking the flag code ?

There is n't one . The flag code is an odd duck in this regard . As part of the United States Code , the flag code is technically federal law . However , the code does n't outline any measures for enforcement or punishment . Basically , the flag code is a set of advisory rules for Americans who want to know the proper and respectful way to display their flag .

Even if the flag code did provide measures for its enforcement , it 's not clear that the measures would be constitutional . Individual states used to have their own prohibitions on and penalties for desecrating the flag , but the 1989 Supreme Court decision Texas v. Johnson invalidated these laws as infringements on free speech . Congress responded by passing the Flag Protection Act , which made flag desecration a federal crime . The Supreme Court struck down this law in the 1990 case United States v. Eichman .

Can anyone stop me from displaying the flag ?

In 2006 the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005 officially became law . This law basically says that no condo board , housing co-op , or residential real estate management group can restrict a person 's right to display the American flag on their own residential property as long as the display jibes with federal law and is reasonable .

What days is the flag always flown at half-staff ?

The flag always flies on half-staff on Patriot Day -LRB- September 11 of each year -RRB- , Peace Officers Memorial Day -LRB- May 15 -RRB- , and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day -LRB- December 7 -RRB- . On Memorial Day , the flag flies at half-staff until noon , at which point it is raised to the top of the staff .

What if I ca n't fly my flag at half-staff ?

Some flags , like the ones commonly seen in school classrooms or on houses , are fixed in a certain position on their poles . How does one handle the sticky situation of a flag that physically ca n't be flown at half-staff ? The United States Code does n't cover this conundrum , but the American Legion advocates adding a black ribbon to the top of the flag 's pole to indicate mourning .

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What about adding new stars for new states ?

Should we ever pick up a 51st state , Section 2 of the flag code stipulates that the state will get a new star on the flag . It wo n't be an overnight process , though . The new star will make its debut on the first Fourth of July following the state 's formal admission into the union .

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The flag is one of our country 's most important symbols , so we should treat it with respect

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1923 : the National Flag Code created advisory rules for displaying the flag

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The rules are just that : advisory . There is no penalty for breaking the flag code